In an award season full of surprises, one consistent result for Focus Features has been the performance of Peter Straughan in the Adapted Screenplay category. On Sunday night, the British screenwriter and playwright continued that streak, winning the Adapted Screenplay Oscar for “Conclave.” It is his first win on his second nomination.
READ MORE: For his contemporary “Conclave,” Edward Berger embraces the discourse [Interview]
Straughan earned his first Academy Award nomination in the same category for “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” in 2012. A script that saw him win a BAFTA Award for both Adapted Screenplay and Best British Film. “Conclave” has been even more rewarding.
Adapated from Robert Harris‘ 2016 novel, Edward Berger’s slowburn thriller dissects the political machinations of a contemporary papal conclave. Straughan’s screenplay has won a Golden Globe Award, a Critics Choice Award, a BAFTA Award, the USC Scripter Award, and several critics groups awards.
Other films on Straughan’s resume include “How To Lose Friends & Alienate People,” “The Men Who Star At Goats,” “The Debt,” “Frank,” “Our Brand is Crisis,” and “The Snowman.” He also wrote the acclaimed BBC TV series “Wolf Hall” which won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Drama Series and a 2015 Peabody Award.
He’s currently developing an adaptation of Ned Bauman’s novel “The Teleportation Accident” with Film 4 as his directorial debut.
Edward Berger’s thriller was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Editing, Costume Design, Original Score, and Production Design.
“Conclave” is available on digital download services